Drying frame or tray



Feb. 24, 1942. Q R w, STANLEY 2,274,104

DRYING FRAME OR TRAY Filed Nov. 25, 1939 'fikjwajzzue Patented Feb. 24, 1942 DRYING FRAME OR TRAY Robert W. Stanley, Providence, R. I., assignor to AlcoFabricating Corporation, Pawtucket, R. 1., a. corporation of Rhode Island Application November 25, 1939, Serial No. 306,133

Claims.

This invention relates to drying apparatus and moreparticularly to improvements in frames or trays for drying gelatins and similar substances.

Heretofore, the frames or trays commonly used for drying gelatins, such as foodstuffs or coatings for films and the like, have been of jointed wooden construction which become loose and shackly in use and deteriorate very quickly due to the constant wetting and drying to which they are subjected. It has also been proposed to use frames or trays of jointed metal construction, but such frames are difficult to handle due to their excessive weight and are subject to corrosion which contaminates the gelatin. Furthermore, such metal frames are not adapted to be stacked one over the other in such manner as to conserve space in the drying chamber in which they are used.

One of the objects of thepresent invention is to provide an all-metal tray for drying gelatins and the like which is of strong and sturdy construction, light in weight and highly resistant to corrosion.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tray of the type indicated comprising a onepiece marginal frame having a series of openings in its sides and mounting a reticulated support for the material to be dried topermit a free circulation of the drying medium through the frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved trays of the type indicated adapted to be stacked in series, one over the other, in a drying chamber or oven to conserve space.

Further objects ofthe improvements are set forth in the following specification which describes, by way of example, a, preferred form of drying tray as illustrated by the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a drying tray in corporating the novel features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1 showing the channel-shaped form of the marginal frame of the tray and the series of ventilating apertures or openings therein; and

Fig, 3 is a sectional view illustrating the manner in which a series of the trays illustrated in Figs, 1 and 2 may be stacked one over the other.

As shown in the present drawing the drying tray constituting the subject matter of the present invention comprises a marginal frame 2 and a reticulated support 3 for the gelatin or other material to be dried on the frame. The marginal frame 2 may have any desired contour but as herein illustrated it is of conventional rectangular shape. Preferably, the frame 2 is constructed of aluminum to render it resistant to corrosion and of light weight to adapt it to be handled easily.

The marginal frame 2 is of channel-shape in cross section having integral flanges 4 and 5 extending in spaced horizontal planes at the top and bottom of the frame and a curved web 6 connecting the flanges at the interior sides of the frame. At the outer edges of the frame 2 the flanges 4 and 5 are provided with rounded beads 9 and I0 projecting from the plane of the flanges, their purpose being to reinforce and strengthen the frame and eliminate sharp edges liable to injure the hands. The web portion 6 of the frame 2 has a series of apertures or openings II which further reduce the weight of the frame and permit the introduction of the drying medium to the interior thereof. Preferably, the frame 2' is made from an extruded blank of channel-shape formed to the desired contour with the ends abutting and welded together to provide a continuous one-piece construction.

The reticulated support 3 is preferably in the form of a wire-mesh screen covering the entire opening between the sides of the marginal frame 2 with its edges overlying the upper horizontal flange 4 of the frame. The screen 3 may be made of corrosive-resistant material or plated.

or otherwise coated with such a material. The screen 3 may be attached to the frame 2 by means of U-shaped wire staples l2 driven through the screen and the underlying flange 4 of the frame with the legs I3 and I4 clinched on the underside of the flange.

The gelatin or other material to be dried, usually in flaked or sheet form, is placed on the wire screen 3 of each tray and a series of the trays are stacked one over the other, as illustrated in Fig. 3, in a drying chamber or oven. The bead In on the lower flange 5 of each frame 2 will then abut the bead 9 on the upper flange 4 of the frame below it to hold the flanges of the trays spaced from each other. The gelatin or other material to be. dried is thus positioned between the wire mesh screens 3 of adjacent trays.

tion that the present invention provides a novel form of drying apparatus which is particularly efiicient for drying gelatins or other similar substances. It will also be observed that the novel form and construction of the improved tray renders it of light weight to adapt it to be easily handled, resistant to corrosion and of strong and sturdy construction and capable of being used over long periods of time Without replacement or repair.

While one embodiment of the invention is herein described and illustrated it will be understood that modifications may be made in the openings therein through which a; drying medium may. enter: the interior of; the. frames, and a. screen. mounted on the; upper flange. Ofi each frame forxsupporting the material to be dried.

2-.. A drying. tray comprising a one-piece marginal frame of channel-shape in cross-section withparallel flanges at the top-and bottom thereof, the web of said frame having a series of openings therein, and a reticulated support for the material to be dried mounted on one of the flanges of the frame.

3. A drying tray comprising a one-piece frame of corrosion-resistant metal formed to provide a continuous loop with a. central opening, said flame being of channel-shape in cross-section with parallel flangest at the top and bottom thereof, the web of said frame having a series of. openings therein, and a wire mesh screen of corrosion resistant material attached to the top flange. of said frame.

4. A drying tray comprising a one-piece marginalframeformed to provide a continuous loop with a central opening, said frame being of channel-shape in cross-section with flanges at the top and bottom. thereof, a wire mesh screen having its edges. overlying one of the flanges of the frame, and wire staples extending through the screern and; flange v to attach. the. screen to the frame 5 A. dryingit'raycomprising a one-piece aluminum frame; of channel-shape in cross-section with. flanges at thev top and; bottom thereof,. the flanges. of. said frame-having beads. att-heir. outer edges and the:web having a series of openings thereiin. a. screen having; its: edges. overlying. the top. flange-10f the:frame;.and;wire staples extending throughthe screen and the top. flange of the frame to. attach the. screen to the frame.

ROBERT W. STANLEY. 

